NSGA Advocacy Kit

ADVOCACYKIT

The National Sporting Goods Associationtakes pride in advocating on behalf of its

members, but also wants its members to havethe resources to advocate for themselves.

This kit is a tool to enable &encourage members to communicate with

legislators, local government and more.

1. Find your State Senator & House Representative

2. Steps for Advocacy

3. Lobbying Decision Makers

4. Digital Advocacy

7. How to Write a Letter to an Elected Official

5. Writing a Letter: Why & When

6. Writing a Letter: Letter Writing Campaigns & Email

8. Contact NSGA

Table of Contents

To find your State Senator, scanthe QR code below, or use the

following link:senate.gov

To find your House Representative,scan the QR code below, or use the

following link:house.gov

Advocacy is thesupport for, or

recommendationof, a particularcause or policy.

1

1. Understand the issue

2. Identify Opponents

3. Define Your Message

4. Make the Issue Personal

Develop a deeper understanding of the issue you are advocating uponDo extensive research on the topic. Read articles, talk to organizations and knowwhat is going on to change it now.

Once research has been done, identify legislators or others who may oppose thechangeDevelop questions the opponents may have and develop strong answers, but it isimportant you stick to facts.

Be specific about what you are advocating forMust be easily understood by people that are unfamiliar with the issueOffer solutions that are feasible based on the economic and political climate

Briefly explain how this issue effects you or or businessContinue to keep the meeting factual

Steps for Advocacy

Click here for more informationon Steps for Advocacy

2

Lobbying Decision

Lobbying: persuading someone with more decision makingpower to support a particular situation

The Issue Should be Important

Base of Support

Persuasive Message

Ensure the issue is compelling, sympathetic and winnableRepresents a large group of people

Know people that are affected and get their supportLet decision makers know your are watching how they vote on yourissue - they will behave differentlyTell decision makers the amount of people that care about the issue

See "Writing Letters to Elected Officials" to better understand how tocommunicate with an elected officialKnow personal things about the decision maker - keep theconversation light-hearted, but professional

Makers

Click here for more informationon Steps for Advocacy

Click here for more informationon Lobbying Decision Makers

3

Digital Advocacy

Digital, or Social Media, Advocacy can be used to reach alarge population of people in a short amount of time

1. Focus: Set a goal for your advocacy campaign that will havean impact

2. Grab Attention: Spread the issue you are advocating for onsocial media platforms

3. Engage: Make people connect with your goal, or seek outpeople you know will be affected by the issue

4. Take Action: Empower & enable others

4

Click here for more informationon Digital Advocacy

When to write a letter

Why should you write a letter?

An issue arises thataffects youThere is an upcomingvote on a policyJust before an election -elected officials areanxious to please whenrunning for a re-electionImmediately after theofficial does somethingyou approve/disapproveof

To explain how an issueaffects youTo support/oppose aproposed law/policy/courseof action (includeinformation about the issue)To request a meetingTo thank an official forsupportTo ask for help or support

5

Using email

Letter writing campaigns

Makes for a quick receipt& responseCan be overlookedSaves trouble of sendinga letterCon: Official may receivehundreds of emails perday

Contact potential writersPeople should be directlyaffected by the issueHave several templates tosend to writersWriter should state theirname and how they areconnected to the issueOffer assistance if needed

6

How to write a letter to anelected official

Steps to take when writing a letter toan elected official:

1. Decide on the recipient

2. Open in an official manner

3. State the purpose of your letter

4. Summarize your understanding of the issue

5. Explain your position & the effect it has on you/others

6. Acknowledge the elected officials past support on similar issues

7. Describe what action you hope the official will take

8. If you have time an are committed, offer help

9. Close and sign your letter - include your address and phone number

10. Check your letter for mistakes - have another person read it

Click here for a template of aletter to an elected official

7

8

Industry related issue?

CLICK HERE

We will connect you with a National SportingGoods Association staff member that will work with

you to ensure your voice is heard.

For more information:(800) 815-5422www.nsga.org/advocacy

:: [email protected]